Need a No GMO, No Soy, NO PEAS feed. Halp!

[Aunt Angus]

hey won't eat pellets or crumbles because with those feed forms they can't pick out the good stuff and leave behind the actual protein and vitamins like they are with your whole grain feeds.

Which is why I make a mash or ferment. They eat that ALL up. Nothing leftover, no picking.

 

[PeepOverlord]

It's most likely those peas in your field won't sprout because the peas are either cooked or split. With your specific needs, you might have to mix your feed your self.
Bear in mind that just because something isn't labeled as organic doesn't mean it isn't organic, it just means the farmer didn't jump through all the hoops and pay out the nose for the crop to be labeled as such.

The peas are whole and in shell. The feed it's from is "organic, unmilled, whole grain, layer feed".
Not the peas, nor corn. nor oats in it will sprout indoors or out. (It's still regularly 80 deg here).
I'm starting to believe it's been irradiated or glyphosated. Which makes it Not organic.
For what these comapnies are charging for unsproutable dead grain "feed" that doesn't sprout under any circumstances. - and that wild birds and animals refuse to touch - they ought to be able to provide some proof.
I believe my hens, my own eyes, and the wild critters over "becasue we said so".

 

[Aunt Angus]

The peas are whole and in shell. The feed it's from is "organic, unmilled, whole grain, layer feed".
Not the peas, nor corn. nor oats in it will sprout indoors or out. (It's still regularly 80 deg here).
I'm starting to believe it's been irradiated or glyphosated. Which makes it Not organic.
For what these comapnies are charging for unsproutable dead grain "feed" that doesn't sprout under any circumstances. - and that wild birds and animals refuse to touch - they ought to be able to provide some proof.
I believe my hens, my own eyes, and the wild critters over "becasue we said so".

Another plus of Scratch & Peck: I have used it to grow fodder. It sprouts (as long as it isn't the starter as the seeds are cut/ground up).

 

[PeepOverlord]

Might help if you specify which feeds you've already tried?

Off the top of my head Scratch & Peck meets most of the criteria however there are a few peas in it (certainly not 50% though). The "dust" in it is not dust though, it's all the added protein, vitamins and minerals, so the feed should be served wet or fermented, and not screened free of the powder.

I would very much like to say which feeds I've wasted hard earned money on, but I don't want to be scolded for "outing" them on a public forum.
And you missed the part where I said the hens (and the wild critters) won't eat the corn, peas, or dust/mud under any circumstances. Not wet, not soaked, not "fermented" and certainly not dry

 

[JacinLarkwell]

How about this? She mixes black oil sunflower seeds, whole corn, cleaned oats, diatomaceous earth, and grit.

@U_Stormcrow, any thoughts? I know DE is pretty useless, and grit shouldn't be mixed into feed, but I'm not sure on those three grains(?)

 

[PeepOverlord]

I'm just going to be blunt with my points:

-Everyone in the reviews are complaining still because they haven't done their research. The "Powder" is from the vitamins/protein....If you're buying whole grain feed that doesn't have the powder/dust or little pellets mixed in you're buying scratch grains. Grains themselves do not have enough nutrition for poultry and this is why manufacturers add the vitamin/protein powder or pellets to the mix.

-Many "Organic" feeds ingredients are outsourced from America because manufactured are having troubles sourcing enough ingredients that meet the organic guidelines. In turn this makes many of the organic feeds actually less fresh than regular feeds which is probably why nothing ate the "nasty" peas and corn you dumped. This bit of information I got from my recently retired father who was the lead accountant and then marketing manager for a very large pet food company. He knew where everything was sourced because it all had to be on the books.

-Your chickens are picky because you're allowing them to be. They won't eat pellets or crumbles because with those feed forms they can't pick out the good stuff and leave behind the actual protein and vitamins like they are with your whole grain feeds. If you only give them a pelleted or crumble feed with no scratch or other treats they WILL eat the pellets or crumbles when they get hungry. Pelleted and crumble feeds are the equivalent to setting in front of a child only a well balanced meal. Then you have whole grain feeds which are equivalent to giving a child a large bowl of ice cream and a salad on the side then allowing them to choose which bowl they eat from.
If you feed whole grain feed you need to make it into a mash if your hens are leaving the dust/powder and any pellets.

All the companies I've purchased from swear up and down "local farmers only, USA ingredients". Pls ask your dad if he knows of anyone making that claim falsely. (It happens with dog/cat food all the time).
Some "no soy" feeds definitely have soy in them - soybean oil, listed waay down in the fine print, or not listed at all.

Nowhere in my post did I ask for personal opinions or drama. I asked for facts and sources. So I would appreciate my thread not being hijacked into a high dramafest of everyone's personal opinions.

When I say dust - I literally and exactly mean: Dust.
Blow away in the slightest breeze, extremely fine powder. Think baby powder. Not fines, not small pieces, not visible separate particles. DUST.
Scooping out of the bags creates a large dust cloud. Cover face, cough, sneeze, clean up area afterward. Worst. "Nutrition". Ever.

 

[MadamContrary]

Modesto Milling should have a formula that fits your requirements and is certified organic. Chewy.com carries it or you can order direct from the mill, it's not cheap and shipping is expensive direct from the mill. Subscribe through chewy for the best price if you're not buying a very large quantity.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I am sorry. Scratch & Peck has been great for my birds. Modesto Milling is also good. But I clearly have nothing to add. Wish I could help. Good luck.

 

[PeepOverlord]

Which is why I make a mash or ferment. They eat that ALL up. Nothing leftover, no picking.

My hens never, never, never "picked thru" Mile Four's Starter, Grower or Layer feeds.
Untillllll... M4 started making all their feeds with mostly peas. My chicks/hens (and the wild critters) used to snarf up every last grain!!
Up until the pea change, M4 feeds were awesome. Superior feed. My hens and I were huge fans.
All the grains in the previous Non-pea M4 feeds sprouted and grew everywhere they fell, and the hens (and critters) ate the sprouts, or if it got to grow and go to seed - they ate the new grains. I stll have a few left, currently ripening into seed.
But since the pea change? Nope. The feed is yellow peas and flyaway dust with "No soy" soybean oil.
No hen or critter will touch it wet, dry or fermented.
And that's now Every "Organic" feed I've tried.

 

[allenw]

All the companies I've purchased from swear up and down "local farmers only, USA ingredients". Pls ask your dad if he knows of anyone making that claim falsely. (It happens with dog/cat food all the time).
Some "no soy" feeds definitely have soy in them - soybean oil, listed waay down in the fine print, or not listed at all.

Nowhere in my post did I ask for personal opinions or drama. I asked for facts and sources. So I would appreciate my thread not being hijacked into a high dramafest of everyone's personal opinions.

When I say dust - I literally and exactly mean: Dust.
Blow away in the slightest breeze, extremely fine powder. Think baby powder. Not fines, not small pieces, not visible separate particles. DUST.
Scooping out of the bags creates a large dust cloud. Cover face, cough, sneeze, clean up area afterward. Worst. "Nutrition". Ever.

Any weevil in the feed? Dump some out on a white piece of paper and shine a light on it. They should stsrt crawling if any are there.